Knitting machine



June 13, 1939- F. G. wElsBr-:CKER 2,162,660

KNITTING MACHINE Filed Deo. 7, 1937 Gttorneg Patented June 13, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,162,660 KNITTING MACHINE p Application December 7, 1937. Serial No. 178.570

clalml.

This invention relates to theart of knittins machines; and more particularly to an improved verge plate construction for use with the loopforming mechanism or sinker-#head assembly of 5 full-fashioned knitting machines, and to a method for making such verge plates. The sinker-head assembly oi' conventional fulliashioned knitting machines includes a sinkerhead and a plurality of sinker-s and dividers.

These sinkers an`d dividers are slidably arranged in the sinker-head and are proiectedto cooperate with the knitting needles in forming loops across the extent oi the knitting field. 'I'he sinker-head assembly also includes a verge plate for arresting the sinkers on the same line at the limit of their forward travel, so that all of the new loops in the knitting iield will be formed ,of l equal length. 'I'he useful life of conventional verge plates is relatively short as the continual pounding of the sinkers slowly, but certainly, wears grooves in the sinker stop edges of the verge plates. Since these grooves are not formed uniformly, the verge plates will in time fail to stop the sinkers on the same line. The sinkers will then be projected different distances in their looping operations vand form loops of unequal length. The longer loops occurring repeatedly in certain wales will form sinker lines which detract from the appearance of the completed stocking and substantially reduce its value. Heretofore, the practice has been to discard the 'old verge plates as soon as they have worn to the extent of permitting sinker lines to occur in the knitted fabric,` and to provide the sinker-head assemblies with entirely new verge plates. According to the present invention, it is no longer necessary to discard the worn verge plates.

These verge plates may now be rebuilt so as to Perform their intended function with at least the same efllciency that characterised their original performance. By rebuilding worn verge plates and thereby prolonging their useful life.

a considerable saving may be secured. The cost of rebuilding a worn verge plate in accordance with this invention may be substantially less than. the cost of an entirely new verge plate.

The verge plate, heretofore in general use, consists oi' an elongated metallic bar formed from a single piece of metal. When the sinkers strike a verge plate of such an all-metal construction, they have a tendency to rebound to an appreciable extent and cause the production of imperfect fabric. These prior art verge plates, due to their all-metal construction. 'also transmit the impact ofthesinkerstoadilcentpartsoithemachine (ci. asf-11n) and further increase me possibility of the fabric being imperfectly knit. To overcome these objections to all-metal verge plates, it has, been heretofore proposed to substitute in their place These objections to all-metal and wholly nonmetallic verge plates are overcome by the present invention, which provides a verge plate construction having the advantages of both the prior art constructions.

It is, therefore, an object -of this invention to provide a method for making verge plates.

Another object is to provide a method for ril-building verge plates of all-metal construction.

A still further object is to provide a method for rebuilding worn verge plates.

,Another object is to provide an improved verge plate construction.

Another object is to provide a verge plate construction which combines the advantages oi the prior art verge plates made entirely of metal and those made entirely of non-metallic material. p

A further object is to provide a novel verge plate construction, in which the sinker stop edge may be readily and conveniently replaced.

The foregoing and other objects of this invention will appear from the following description,

l the appended claims, and the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing. Fig. I is a sectional view of a portion of a loop-forming mechanism of a fulliashioned knitting machine, including a verge plate made in accordance with this invention.

F18. Il' is a rear elevational view of the verge plate and upper portion of the sinkerhead shown in Fis. I.

Fig. III is a bottom plan view of the verge plate shown in Figs. I and II.

Fig. N is 'a perspective view .of a worn verge plate, of conventional all-metal construction. which may be rebuilt in accordance with this invention.

Figs. v, VI. VII andvIII are transverse crosssectional views to illustrate successive stages in rebuilding the verge plate of Fig. IV in accordance with this invention, Fig. V being also a view taken on line V-V of Fig. IV and Fig. VIII -being a view taken on line VIII-VIII of Fig. III.

Fig. IX is a transverse cross-sectional view of a conventional all-metal verge plate to illustrate another method for rebuilding the same in accordance with this invention.

The loop-forming mechanism of a full-fashioned knitting machine Referring now to Fig. I, this figure shows certain parts of the loop-forming mechanism of `a conventional full-fashioned knitting machine, only those parts being illustrated which are helpful in understanding this invention. Conventional parts shown in Fig. I include a sinker I, a divider 2, a spacer 3, a sinker-head having a top 4 and a base 5, a sinker operating jack S, a catch bar I and a. knitting needle I. It will be understood that the usual full-fashioned knitting machine has a plurality of sinkers I, a plurality of dividers 2 alternating with sinkers I, a plurality of needles 8, and a jack 6 for each sinker I. In the usual operation of this loopforming mechanism, the jacks 6 operate the sinkers I in succession to sink the yarn, previously laid thereon by a yarn carrier (not shown), between adjacent needles across the entire knitting field. The dividers 2 are then advanced simultaneously by the catch bar 'I to sink the yarn between the remaining needles 8. The needles Il subsequently are shifted downwardly, and the sinkers I and dividers 2 are retracted as a group by the catch bar 1.

A verge plate in accordance with this invention A verge plate embodying the present invention is indicated by the numerol III in Fig. I and is shown in that figure as occupying substantially the same operative position as the conventional verge plates therefore in general use. The rearward edge II of the verge plate III provides a stop for limiting and controlling the forward movement of the sinkers I, as willbe clear from Fig. I, which shows a sinker I at its extreme forward position and in engagement with the stop edge Il.

Referring now to Figs. I, II, III and VIII, the verge plate III of this invention may include an elongated bar or plate I2 of metal or other suitable material which is not apt to warp when anchored to the sinker-head top 4, The rearward end of the bar I2 is of reduced thickness to provide a flange I2 overlying a recess I4 extending inwardly from the outer flange edge I5 and along the underside ofthe bar I2 (see particularly Fig. VIII). A strip I6 ls positioned within the recess I4 and secured to fiange I3 in any suitable manner, as for example, by means of rivets I1. The strip I6 h as its rearward portion extending beyond the ii'ange edge I5 to provide the desired sinker stop edge Ilisee for example Fig. I).

The strip I6 may be of,` the same metal as the bar I 2 or of a different metal chosen for lts'better wear resistant properties or for other obvious reasons. It is preferred, however, that the strip I6 be formed of a suitable non-metallic material which will act to cushion the shock when the sinkers I are arrested at the limit of their forward movement. The strip I6 might be composed of bakelite, or hard rubber, but the preferred non-metallic material is a fibrous phenol condensate composition comprising, for example, a plurality of layers of woven fabric impregnated and bonded together by a phenol condensate. Experience shows that this preferred non-metallic composition is more durable than metallic edge verge plates and has superior wearresisting properties.

'I'he strip IB may have a thickness no greater than, or approximately the same as, the depth of the recess I4. I'he strip I8, however, when made of non-metallic material, preferably has a thickness somewhat greater than the depth of the recess I4 in which lt is' received (see Fig. VIII). When the strip IB is of such thickness, it may fill the recess I4 and be firmly held against warping, or movement, by the flange I3 and the upper surface ot a. sinker-head top 4 when the verge plate III is anchored to sinker-head top 4 by means of screws I8 as shown in Figs. I and II. By providing the strip I6 with a thickness exceeding the depth of recess I4, the flange I3 and sinker-head top 4 may be provided with a firmer grip on the strip I6 when the screws Il are tightened, thereby avoiding the warping or undesired accidental movement of the strip I6.

A method 'for rebuilding n verge plate in accordance with this invention A conventional verge plate of all-metal construction is shown in Figs. IV and V. Fig. IV also illustrates at 20 the grooved sinker stop edge which characterizes worn all-metal verge plates. Each vertically extending groove has been formed by the continual pounding of a sinker I or a divider 2. It will be noted from Fig. V that the illustrated conventional verge plate has a longitudinally extending channel 2| in its lower side. One side oi' the channel 2| is bounded by a depending, curved lip 22 to provide a sinker stop edge. The extreme end 22 of lip 22 .ies in substantially the same plane as the lower side 24 of the verge plate. 'I'his worn verge plate of Figs. IV and V may be rebuilt and have its usefulness restored in the following manner. The lower portion of lip 22 and the worn sinker stop edge, which lie beyond or below the line indicated at 26 in Fig. V and extend longitudinally of the verge plate, aresuitably removed. The longitudinal portion of the verge plate indicated at 26 within dotted lines in Fig. V is also suitably removed. 'I'his removal of rearward and lower `longitudinal portions of the all-metal verge plate may be carried out by conventional grinding, cutting or machining operations. The verge plate will now appear as shown in Fig. VI. The remaining curved portion of lip 22 (see Fig. VI)

may now be straightened in suitable manner so 5 as to provide with adjacent portions of the verge plate the straight flange I 3 of Fig. VII. If desired. the straightening of the upper portion of lip 22 may take place before the removal of the verge plate portion 26, or the lip 22 may be straightened before its lower end is removed. After the pr'eceding operations, the modified verge plate may have the cross-sectional shape of the plate or bar' I2 in' Fig. VII, whlch'iis provided with a straight flange I3 having its upper and lower sides in parallel planes and its lower side set back from the underside 24 of the remainder of the verge plate to provide therecess I4. A strip I6 of the size and character described above is now held in the recess I4 while a series of rivet-receiving apertures (see 21 in Fig. VII) are formed through both the flange Iland the strip I6. Such procedure will provide. the respective openings in the strip I6 andange Ill in. alignment and avoid the possibility of the strip I6 buckling between punch, to securely hold the strip I8 to the flange I3. The length of the rivet pins' I'l and the upsetting operation are preferably such that the upset rivet ends will be countersunk in the strip ,I6 (see Fig. VIII) and not extend beyond the underside 2,4 of the bar I2. With this arrangement of the rivets I1, they will not be in a position to interfere with strip IB being somewhat compressed or squeezed between` ilange I3 and sinker-head top l when the verge plate II) is secured in position by means of the screws I8.

In certain cases, it may be desirable and permissible to rebuid a worn verge plate without the lip straightening step explained above in connection with Figs. VI and VII. For example, the worn verge plate may have a transverse crosssectional shape as shown in Fig. IX and have the slot Il i of Hg. VIII) formed simply by removing the, longitudinal portions 28 and 29 of the verge plate which are respectively positioned beyond the line 30 and within the dotted line 3l of Fig. IX. The old verge plate would then have a cross-sectional shape corresponding to that of the bar I2 in Figs. VII and VIII. The Fig. IX verge plate in its modiied form may then be provided with a strip I6 inthe manner described with respect to Figs. VII and VIII so that when rebuilt it.wi:l appear substantially as shown in Figs. I, II, III and VIII.

After the strip I6 has been secured in place, its edge II is preferably machined to a straight surface and bevelled to the desired angle in the manner necessary to coact with the sinkers I (see Fig. I) ior limiting their forward movement to the same extent of travel thereby producing loops oi uniform length across the entire knitting field. While the strip I6 is preferably secured to ange I3 by riveting, it may be secured in place by other means, such as screws, cement or the like which permit the strip I6 to be removed and replaced when desired. 'I'he above described rivets I1 also may be readily removed in any convenient conventional manner when it is desired to replace the strip I6. y

Whi'e this invention has been. explained in connection with the rebuilding of certain types of worn verge plates, it is also applicable to the re-I building of other types oi' worn verge plates, as well as new verge plates of all-metal construction where a non-metallic sinker stop cushion edge is desired.

The foregoing is illustrative, and it will be iinderstood that this invention includes all embodiments coming within the scope of the appended claims.-

1. A method of rebuilding a metallic verge plate having a rearward longitudinal edgeto provide a stop for sinkers when in use in a knitting machine, said method comprising removing portions of .said` verge plate' to provide the same with a longitudinal recess extending inwardly from the rearward edge and along the underside thereof,

. forming a strip with a width greater than that ward edge extending beyond said rearward plate edge.

p 2. A method oi rebuilding a metallic verge plate having a rearward, depending, longitudinal lip to provide a stop for sinkers when'in use in a knitting machine, said method comprising removingportlons of said verge plate including at least the lower portion of said depending lip to provide a longitudinal recess extending inwardly from the rearward edge and along the underside thereof, forming a strip with a width greater than that of said recess, placingsaid strip in said recess with its rearward edge extending beyond said rearward plate edge, and securing said strip to said metallic plate.

3. A method of rebuilding a metallic verge plate having a rearward, depending, longitudinal lip to provide a stop for sinkers when in use in a knitting machine, said method 4.comprising removing portions of said verge plate including at least the lower portion of said `depending lip,

metallic plate, and riveting the strip to said flange with the lower heads of the rivets countersunk in said strip.

4. A method of rebuilding a metallic verge plate having a rearward, depending', longitudinal lip to provide a stop for sinkers when lin use in a knitting machine, said method comprising re moving portions of said verge plate including at least the lower portion of said depending lip to provide a rearwardly extending flange overlying a longitudinal recess extending inwardly from the rearward edge and along the underside of the metallic plate, forming a strip of nonmetallic material and with a width and thickness somewhat greater than the width and depth, respectively, of said recess, placing said strip in said recess with the under-face of said vtrip extending somewhat beyond the adjacent underface of the metallic plate and with the rearward edge of the strip extending beyond the rearward edge of said metallic plate, forming a series of rivet receiving openings through both said iiange and said strip, placing rivets in said openings from said ilange side, and upsetting the lower ends of said rivets to countersink the same in said strip.

5. A method of rebuilding a metallic verge plate `width somewhat greater than the width oi.' saidV recess, placing said strip in said recess with the rearward edge of the strip extending beyond the rearward edge of said metallic plate, forming a series oi' rivet receiving openings through both said flange and said strip, placing rivets in said openings from said nange side, and upsetting the lower ends of said rivets to countersink the same in said strip. i

f 6.a method ol rebuilding a metallic verge plate having a rearward longitudinal edge to provide a stop for slnkers when in use in a knitting machine, said method comprising removing portions of said verge plate to provide a rearwardly extending ilange overlying a longitudinal recess extending inwardly from the rearward edge and along the underside of the metallic plate, i'orming a strip of non-metallic material and with a width somewhat greater than the width of said recess and with a thickness corresponding approximately to the depth of said recess, placing said strip in said recess with the rearward edge of the strip extending beyond the rearward edge oi said metallic plate, forming a series of rivet receiving openings through both said ilange and said strip, placing rivets in said openings from said iiange side, and upsetting the lower ends oi said rivets to countersink the same in said strip.

7. For use with the sinker-head and movable sinkers of a knitting machine, a verge plate having a rearward edge for limiting the travel of said sinkers, said verge plate comprising a bar having a longitudinal recess extending inwardly from its rearward edge-and along the underside thereof, a relatively flexible strip arranged in said recess, and means securing said strip to said bar with a portion of said strip extending beyond said rearward bar edge to provide said sinker travel llmiting edge, said strip having a thickness the same as or greater than the depth 'of said recess,

whereby when the verge plate is secured to a sinker-head, said strip will be arranged between and engaged by said bar and the sinker-head to avoid warping or mlsplacement of the said strip. and said bar and strip are adjustable on said sinker-head as a unit.

8. A method of rebuilding a metallic verge plate having a rearward longitudinal edge to provide a stop for sinkers when in use in a knitting machine, said method comprising removing said sinker stop edge and providing said verge plate with a longitudinal recess extending inwardly from the rearward edge and along the underside thereof. forming a sinker stop strip, and securing said strip in said recess with the rearward edge of said trip extending beyond said rearward plate edge.

9. A method oi rebuilding a metallic verge plate i having a rearwardlongitudinal edge to provide a stop for sinkers when in use in a knitting machine, said method comprising removing said sinker stop edge and providing said verge plate with a longitudinal recess extending inwardly from the rearward edge and along the underside thereof, forming a sinker stop strip, securing said strip in said recess with the rearward edge of said trip extending beyond said rearward plate edge, and forming said rearward strip edge into a sinker stop edge.

FRANK G. DI :I: 2i

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 2,162,660.

FRANK G NEISBECKER.

am 1a. 1939.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification ofthe above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2, first column, line h2, for the word "therefore" read heretofore; and second co1'- umn, line 2 2, strike out the article "thei'; page, first column, line 75, claim 1, for-trip read strip; and that the said Letter! Patent should be read with this correction therein that the 'same may conform to the record of the vcase 'in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 1st day of August, A. D. 1959.

(Seal) Henry vm Arcane, Acting Commissioner of Patents.

having a rearward longitudinal edge to provide a stop for slnkers when in use in a knitting machine, said method comprising removing portions of said verge plate to provide a rearwardly extending ilange overlying a longitudinal recess extending inwardly from the rearward edge and along the underside of the metallic plate, i'orming a strip of non-metallic material and with a width somewhat greater than the width of said recess and with a thickness corresponding approximately to the depth of said recess, placing said strip in said recess with the rearward edge of the strip extending beyond the rearward edge oi said metallic plate, forming a series of rivet receiving openings through both said ilange and said strip, placing rivets in said openings from said iiange side, and upsetting the lower ends oi said rivets to countersink the same in said strip.

7. For use with the sinker-head and movable sinkers of a knitting machine, a verge plate having a rearward edge for limiting the travel of said sinkers, said verge plate comprising a bar having a longitudinal recess extending inwardly from its rearward edge-and along the underside thereof, a relatively flexible strip arranged in said recess, and means securing said strip to said bar with a portion of said strip extending beyond said rearward bar edge to provide said sinker travel llmiting edge, said strip having a thickness the same as or greater than the depth 'of said recess,

whereby when the verge plate is secured to a sinker-head, said strip will be arranged between and engaged by said bar and the sinker-head to avoid warping or mlsplacement of the said strip. and said bar and strip are adjustable on said sinker-head as a unit.

8. A method of rebuilding a metallic verge plate having a rearward longitudinal edge to provide a stop for sinkers when in use in a knitting machine, said method comprising removing said sinker stop edge and providing said verge plate with a longitudinal recess extending inwardly from the rearward edge and along the underside thereof. forming a sinker stop strip, and securing said strip in said recess with the rearward edge of said trip extending beyond said rearward plate edge.

9. A method oi rebuilding a metallic verge plate i having a rearwardlongitudinal edge to provide a stop for sinkers when in use in a knitting machine, said method comprising removing said sinker stop edge and providing said verge plate with a longitudinal recess extending inwardly from the rearward edge and along the underside thereof, forming a sinker stop strip, securing said strip in said recess with the rearward edge of said trip extending beyond said rearward plate edge, and forming said rearward strip edge into a sinker stop edge.

FRANK G. DI :I: 2i

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 2,162,660.

FRANK G NEISBECKER.

am 1a. 1939.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification ofthe above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2, first column, line h2, for the word "therefore" read heretofore; and second co1'- umn, line 2 2, strike out the article "thei'; page, first column, line 75, claim 1, for-trip read strip; and that the said Letter! Patent should be read with this correction therein that the 'same may conform to the record of the vcase 'in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 1st day of August, A. D. 1959.

(Seal) Henry vm Arcane, Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

